Photoshop pen tool question

[LumbergTech]

Is it possible to convert subtract areas into add areas?

If you have the wrong one clicked, then spend a boatload of time refining your selections....isnt there any easy to to switch the subtract path nodes to add?

 

[colonelciller]

yes absolutely...

i believe it is select> invert from the top menus... i'll check and post back

 

[colonelciller]

so for a selection that you need to invert it is:
>select > inverse

you can also toggle between positive and negative selection by pressing the 'alt' key when selecting for negative or pressing and holding the 'shift' key for positive (additive) selection

 

[rivan]

Colonelciller's answers are appropriate for the marquee and other selection tools, but for the pen tool, use the add/subtract settings in the application bar, here:

My screenshot was taken while working on a shape layer as indicated by the tooltip, but the same controls will be available for any path item.

 

[colonelciller]

interesting... thanks rivan!

i never use that tool... just assumed we were talking about the selection tools

so many ways to use photoshop